Thruxton Podiums Aplenty For Phinsys By Argenti
30 August 2021
Phinsys by Argenti added to its ever-growing silverware collection in the F4 British Championship certified by FIA – powered by Ford EcoBoost this past weekend (August 28/29) as they scored five podium finishes at Thruxton.
Matias Zagazeta maintained his pursuit of the title with commanding drives to second place in races one and three. Team-mates Eduardo Coseteng and Aiden Neate both starred in the Rookie Cup, with Coseteng claiming a win and Neate second and third place finishes.
Arriving at the high-speed Hampshire venue after enjoying its strongest weekend to-date in the single-seater category at Knockhill, the Banbury-based outfit were feeling confident of strengthening its championship challenge even further.
Following two beneficial practice sessions on Friday, Saturday’s qualifying session saw the team continue its recent run of fine form with Zagazeta and Coseteng securing second and third on the grid. Behind, Neate’s best time was good enough for ninth whilst Marcos Flack finished 14th.
As the lights went out Zagazeta wasted no time in jumping into the lead and for a majority of the contest the Peruvian controlled proceedings. Dropping to second in the closing stages, Zagazeta made a bold move on the final lap heading into the Club chicane which forced him off the track and rejoining ahead of Oliver Gray.
Despite taking the chequered flag first, a post-race penalty was handed to Zagazeta for gaining an unfair advantage and he was subsequently demoted to second place – after the team had lodged what would transpire to be an unsuccessful appeal.
Neate emerged as one of the big movers in the race as he pulled off a number of eye-catching moves to progress up to fifth. Flack meanwhile was able to cross the line in 13th whilst Coseteng, who ran as high as third at one stage, was an unfortunate retirement.
Race two – the reverse grid encounter – would see Coseteng serve up a masterful drive to clinch his second Rookie Cup win of the season. In what proved to be a race of attrition, the Philippines-born ace charged from 14th to fourth, narrowly missing out on a maiden overall podium.
Neate made it a double Rookie Cup podium for the team as he also made a string of overtaking moves to cross the line in sixth overall, third in class. Unfortunately, Zagazeta would be forced to pit due to a puncture whilst Flack retired after contact during the opening laps.
The third and final race of the weekend proved to be another frenetic affair as Zagazeta strengthened his championship challenge even further with another second place finish. Going wheel-to-wheel for the lead, Zagazeta narrowly missed out on victory as the battle for top spot went down to the wire.
Behind, Neate produced another star performance to claim a season-best finish of fourth overall and second in the Rookie Cup. Flack was able to progress to 11th whilst Coseteng endured further bad luck by suffering a puncture whilst running inside the top six.
Michael Meadows, Team Manager: “It’s been a weekend of ups and downs but we can be pleased to come away from Thruxton with five podiums. Matias has been brilliant once again and was unfortunate to not be declared the winner in race one. That being said, he drove well to clinch to second place and that’s brought him right into the title fight now. Aiden had his best results of the season which is a real positive and Marcos is continuing to improve. I do feel for Eduardo though because, other than race two, the luck just didn’t fall his way. We’re heading off to Croft next, where we’ve done plenty of testing, so we will be looking to utilise everything we’ve learnt and apply it there. Everyone is driving well, we just need to start putting a few more points on the board now.”
The 2021 F4 British Championship certified by FIA – powered by Ford EcoBoost continues in North Yorkshire on September 18/19, with Rounds 19, 20 & 21 taking place at Croft Circuit.
Images: Jakob Ebrey Photography.
